Need help installing to external USB HARD DRIVE

[Roger Allott]

Yes, your sdb1 drive is at least recognized by fdisk, so that's a good sign. When you go through the installer and get to the step where it asks how you want to prepare your disk space, try using the "Manual" option (not either of the Guided optons) and see if you can select the sdb drive. Let me know if that helps, or let me know exactly what problems you encounter; it might also help if you can post a screen shot showing the point where you have problems to clarify things.

Yes, I've tried the Manual option but when it offers the list of available drives my external HDD isn't there.

I'll have to reboot to retry the install and see if I can paste some screenshots using the image program.

[ipodk88]

im glad this thread is helpful
i forgot to mention im on a laptop, if it matters,
i might attempt an install today.

[Roger Allott]

I'm also on a laptop, but I don't see why that would be important.

This is the screen I get first of all for Step 4 of the install:


And if I select the "Manual" option, this is what I get:

[caljohnsmith]

That is really strange, Roger, that the installer doesn't seem to recognize your sdb drive at all. Sounds like it could be a bug with the installer. The only other thing I can think of is maybe if you change the way your sdb drive is setup in BIOS, that might fix the issue. Otherwise, I think I would file a bug at bugs.launchpad.net, because that's definitely a bug that should be fixed (if it really is a bug).

[Roger Allott]

That is really strange, Roger, that the installer doesn't seem to recognize your sdb drive at all. Sounds like it could be a bug with the installer. The only other thing I can think of is maybe if you change the way your sdb drive is setup in BIOS, that might fix the issue. Otherwise, I think I would file a bug at bugs.launchpad.net, because that's definitely a bug that should be fixed (if it really is a bug).

Well it's useful to know that it's probably a bug and not me or my system going bonkers!

I've tried creating a bug report in launchpad and I put in that the Distribution is Ubuntu and the Package is 8.10, but I'm getting the error message:

There is no package name '8.10' published in Ubuntu

WTF????

[ipodk88]

is it possible to only have 2 partitions on my external drive (one for ubuntu, one for storage space for use with windows?)

[Pumalite]

You might get away with it. Also; if you already have a /swap partition in your internal drive; your USB can use it.

[ipodk88]

sorry, i didnt really understand what you were saying..
its brand new, so i dont think theres any partions on it,
if i wanted to create 2 (1 for ubuntu, one for windows) would there be an option for this during the install?

[Pumalite]

Sure.

[ipodk88]

i have another question for you guys,
cant i just run a wubi install, and select the external drive as the HD to install to?
and would this work if i wanted to use remastersys eventually?
thanks